How Long After a Commercial Audition Do You Hear Back?

by Tara Renee

It's best to relax after an audition.

Going on a commercial audition and not hearing anything back can be a nerve-wrecking experience, especially when you know you “killed it” at the audition. Unfortunately, there are no written rules on how long it takes to hear something back. In some instances, depending upon the casting director, you may never hear another word about the audition. To help put your nerves at ease, try utilizing other available resources to get a timeframe.

Casting Call Instructions

Go back and read the casting call announcement for the commercial audition. Sometimes the announcement will list the deadline you can expect to hear back, if you book the role. In rare occasions, the casting call may also include the deadline for which the commercial must be cast. If no booking or casting deadline is included, look to see if a “callback” deadline is listed. The callback deadline is the date you can expect an invitation from the casting director inviting you to attend a callback audition. If a callback deadline is listed, and you don't receive communication from the casting director by that deadline, it is safe to assume you did not book the role.

Callback Auditions

If you are invited to attend a callback audition, it's a good thing. It means you are still in the running for the role. Before leaving the callback audition, ask the casting director when you can expect to hear something back. How you phrase this question can make you look like an amateur or a professional. For instance, asking when you will receive communication about your audition is amateurish. It's highly unlikely that you will receive further communication, if you aren't further considered for the role. Professional actors know this. Casting directors are just too busy to reach out to actors who don't book the role. Their focus is reaching out to the actors who booked. The professional way to present your question is to ask if there is a deadline for casting the role. If the deadline passes and you are not contacted, it is safe to assume you were not chosen for the role.

Ask Your Network

Network during your auditions. Get the names and contact information of other actresses attending the audition. Not only is networking good for your acting career, it can also be helpful in finding out who booked or didn't book roles. If a substantial amount of time has passed since your audition, and you still haven't received communication from the casting director, reach out to your network of actor friends. Ask them if they have heard anything back from the audition. If someone has heard something back, and you didn't, there is a good chance you were not chosen for the role.

Following Up

There is an unwritten rule in the casting industry, “Don't call us. We'll call you.” If the casting director and producer are interested in casting you for a role, they will let you know. Contacting the casting director to see if the role has been cast or to see how you did on your audition makes you look amateurish, and may work against you for future casting calls. Instead of sending an inquiry, send a “thank you” postcard that has your headshot on it. By doing so, the casting director will remember you. If you are seriously being considered for the role, she may ease your nerves by letting you know it.

References

About the Author

Tara Renee holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration. She is the owner of several small businesses. In her spare time, she loves to share her knowledge and wisdom through writing. Some of her articles have appeared in major media outlets, including "The Atlanta Journal Constitution" and the "Gainesville Times."